‘Kim … I am so sorry about the other night. I was upset, I don’t know why I said what I did.’
‘Hush, don’t worry about it – I completely understand and I know you wouldn’t have meant anything by it.’ She touched her arm. ‘And I hope it goes without saying, but there is no question of … I mean, Antonio is like a father to me.’
Emilia looked pained afresh. ‘I know that. Which is why I cannot understand why I even thought anything like it, let alone said it out loud – and to your husband, too.’ Tears appeared in her eyes. ‘I do not know what is happening to me lately, Kim. I can’t seem to … trust my emotions. Or indeed my actions.’ A low sob escaped from her, and Kim quickly took her beloved mentor’s hand and led her away from the crowds to a quieter area further away from the house.
‘Please, don’t worry about it,’ she reassured her. ‘We all get like that from time to time.Things have been so crazy in the lead-up to this whole thing, that I’ve pretty much forgotten which way is up myself.’
‘But to suggest … to even think about accusing you of something like that – it was unforgivable of me. But Antonio – he has been acting so strangely lately, and when a husband suddenly becomes secretive, you begin to suspect the worst. Also, he was so angry with me about the permits. But I didn’t realise I had done anything wrong. In fact, I thought I had done him a favour. The paperwork was in his office, and I thought he had neglected to send it, and that perhaps the project would be in jeopardy. So I sent it instead.’
She looked pained. ‘I don’t know why I thought that, since everything was already agreed a long time ago. But I have fallen behind on so much lately, my mind – it is not what it used to be, and I am not sure what is happening …’
She was so truly distressed and painfully aware of her slips that Kim’s heart broke for her. ‘Honestly, it’s fine. These things happen. And everything has turned out great regardless. Look around you, isn’t it wonderful? I want to give you a proper tour inside the centre, too, but maybe tomorrow when there are less people wandering around.’
Emilia took her hand in hers. ‘Yes, the villa looks amazing, and what you have achieved is incredible, not just tonight, but with everything. I saw it when I met you in Amalfi all those years ago – a spark within you. Kim, you should be so proud of yourself. Your parents should be, too, and while maybe it is not possible for them to tell you now, I am certain they will realise it in their hearts in time.’
At this, tears now started to form in Kim’s eyes as she turned to look at the older woman who had been more of a mother to her than Gloria ever was.
‘In any case,’ Emilia continued, ‘know thatIam proud of you, as is Antonio. And again, I am so sorry. I don’t know why I even thought for a second …’
‘Hush now, please. Forget about that.’ Kim reached across and pulled her into another embrace. ‘I hope you realise that all this is as much yours as it is mine. You know that none of it – the villa, the business – would have been possible if it weren’t for you, Emilia. I owe it all to you.’
The older woman held her tightly, and Kim once again felt terrible for neglecting her the way she had. But that was about to change. Emilia had always been there for Kim whenever she needed her. Now it was time to return the favour.
She would spend some time with her in Milan and then work with Antonio to assess what was best for this wonderful woman they both adored, and how to handle what was to come. They needed to put Emilia’s mind at ease, too, and ensure that no matter what happened, she felt secure and loved. It was the least she deserved.
‘So for tonight, let’s you and I just enjoy the moment and celebrate it together, OK?’
Emilia smiled, now looking much more like her old self, and Kim was about to flag down a passing waiter to get them both a drink, when Gabriel came rushing up, a concerned look on his face.
‘There’s something going on, hon. Raised voices – an argument – coming from inside the villa. I think we should check it out.’
Kim’s heart tumbled to her stomach. ‘An argument? Who?’
‘I’m not sure yet. Emilia, Antonio is looking for you.’ While Gabriel duly led Emilia back to her husband, Kim raced up the steps and back towards the house, with a growing – and all too familiar – sense of unease.
It had to happen, didn’t it? Another blow, one final kick in the teeth.
For chrissakes … What fresh hell awaited her this time?
Annie clung to Ed, her fingers hooked into his shirt, feeling for the first time in forever like a heavy burden had lifted.
He would make this OK, he would help her and Charlie. She didn’t have to worry anymore.
The smell of his aftershave was rich and familiar. So familiar. She could lose herself in it.
‘You still wear the same aftershave,’ she commented breathlessly.
‘Annie, stop,’ he warned.
‘What?’ she asked, turning to follow his gaze to the doorway. But there was no one there. ‘It’s just the two of us – we can talk about this … properly now.’
‘All that was years ago.’
‘For you, maybe, but not for me,’ she replied bitterly. ‘You broke my heart, cast me aside for someone else – but not before leaving me with a permanent reminder.’
‘I’m sorry. I told you that at the time, and I’m still sorry now, but the whole thing really was … unfortunate.’
‘Can you imagine how it made me feel to see you outside that day in the courtyard, thinking you’d changed your mind, only to hear that you were there to see Colette? My friend? I loved you, for Christ’s sake!’
